Dispelling the 5 Most Common Solar Myths

The number of new solar photovoltaic (PV) installations continues to surge nationwide as Americans realize the many benefits of turning free sunshine into instant savings.

But there are still holdouts who cling to common misconceptions about solar technology. They prefer “renting” dirty, expensive electricity from the utility grid instead of generating their own clean and free power.

Are any of the following solar myths preventing you from leading a sun-powered, money-saving lifestyle?

Myth 1: Going Solar Is Too Expensive

10 years ago, you’d have been right. Only the wealthiest Americans (and NASA) could afford to install solar PV panels.

But panel prices have plummeted over the past decade (80% since 2008). Now solar energy is incredibly affordable—often outcompeting traditional grid electricity in cost. And whereas free sunshine stays the same price forever, utility power becomes more expensive year after year.

Moreover, there exist countless incentives to make going solar even more affordable. By combining state rebates, federal tax credits, and other generous subsidies, it’s possible to reduce the upfront cost of your installation by 50% or more.

You can do even better than that.

With a solar lease and your good credit, you can receive a brand-new PV installation for $0 Down. You simply pay a monthly bill for your solar electricity. The best part is that your monthly solar bills will be less than what you’re currently paying your utility company.

Myth 2: We Don’t Get Enough Sunlight to Go Solar—It Won’t Work

A lot of prospective customers wrongly believe their properties don’t receive enough sunshine (or at least enough to make solar a worthwhile investment). And if you live in the North or South Pole, you’re probably right.

But if you live anywhere else on the planet, there’s a good chance your home or business receives more sunshine than it can possibly use. According to National Geographic, enough sunlight hits Earth every hour to power the world’s electricity needs for an entire year.

In other words, solar energy works incredibly well, no matter where you live. This explains why many Direct Energy Solar customers end up receiving $0 utility bills month after month. Some even receive negative bills because their solar installations generate too much clean electricity.

Myth 3: Solar Power Doesn’t Work at Night

This is true, but it’s largely irrelevant.

With solar batteries, you can store daytime power for nighttime use. But there exist an even better option for storing daytime solar electricity—namely net metering.

With net metering, you’re allowed to feed excess solar electricity into the utility grid during the day—at a profit. When you need power at night, you simply buy back the electricity you need. In other words, the utility company pays you for the privilege of storing your clean solar power.

Myth 4: Solar Power Doesn’t Work in Cloudy or Cool Climates

Let’s tackle this common myth in 2 stages:

1. Cloudy Days and Solar

When it comes to solar energy, direct sunlight is best (obviously). But even on the cloudiest days, your panels will continue generating clean electricity. This is because:

Visible light still gets through (which is why you’re able to see)

UV light comes through (which is why some people get sunburned on overcast days)

Infrared light gets through (which is why you still feel warm on cloudy, summer days)

2. Cold Temperatures and Solar

Contrary to popular belief, solar PV technology works best in colder temperatures. This inverse relationship between temperature and performance partially explains why Germany and Ontario have enjoyed such success with solar energy—as well as countless Direct Energy Solar customers in New England.

Myth 5: DIY Solar Is Cheaper Than Hiring a Professional

It’s true that installing your own solar panels is cheaper than hiring a professional contractor—at least initially.

But when you install solar panels on your own, you forfeit countless incentives (only licensed installations qualify for subsidies like solar rebates, tax credits, and net metering). Worse still, you potentially sacrifice quality. A well-designed PV system installed by a licensed professional lasts a minimum of 25 years, with some installations lasting 40 years or longer.

However, even among licensed contractors, quality can still vary. To maximize your solar returns, stick with installers with proven track records.

With an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau, Direct Energy Solar has successfully installed thousands of PV systems throughout the country. From start to finish, you benefit from experienced professionals whose sole goal is to help you get more clean electricity and higher monthly savings from your solar investment. All of our installers and electricians undergo rigorous training to ensure that you receive the highest quality possible—starting on Day 1 and for the next 25–40 years.

One More Myth: Going Solar Is a Hassle

This is the easiest of all the myths to dispel. At Direct Energy Solar, we make going solar incredibly easy. By contacting our expert installation team, you benefit from:

A custom-designed system

A no-obligation solar proposal

Affordable pricing (starting at free)

A hassle-free installation process

Instant and long-term savings

Competitive performance guarantees

Lifetime support for your PV system

Sound too good to be true?

See what others have to say about their Direct Energy Solar experiences. Or better still, put us to the test and request your free solar quote today.

Power your business with solar.

Offers and financing are available to customers who qualify, vary by location, and are not available in all areas. We customize our solar power system specifically for your facility, therefore, pricing, savings, utility bill, solar bill amounts and actual returns vary based on different factors including but not limited to your location, system size, available solar incentives and local utility rates. See terms and conditions for more details.